Cuomo backs Poloncarz, brings Brown

AMHERST — With Gov. Andrew Cuomo sitting between them on stage at a UAW hall here in suburban Buffalo, the city’s mayor, Byron Brown, publicly endorsed Mark Poloncarz for Erie County executive against Chris Collins.

“Having all of these great Democrats work together has made my job as mayor easier,” said Brown. “Now, today, as Democrats, we unite to endorse Mark Poloncarz … as county executive, I know Mark will work with me as mayor to deliver services and much needed resources to the City of Buffalo and its taxpayers.”

There were unexpected applause. Brown is at tension with Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan, who is something of a Poloncarz godfather, and their relationship had prevented Brown’s formal endorsement. Its coming might help increase turnout in the city limits, where Democrats outnumber Republicans.

Cuomo spoke of Poloncarz as a son of middle-class parents — a steelmaker and a nurse — who understands and is in touch with regular folks. The governor, who left the event without taking questions said Brown “stepped up to the plate — he’s swinging a big bat for Mark Poloncarz.”

“How do we win? First, we unite,” Cuomo said in his speech. “And then, my friends, we work … we have the people and we have the shoe leather, and we’re right, and we have passion.”